Too Early To Count Bill Nelson Out

BREVARD AT LARGE

April 24, 1990|By Allen Rose of The Sentinel Staff

Son of Melbourne. Memo to supporters and friends of Bill Nelson, Brevard's own candidate for governor: Don't wring your hands over those awful poll results that show him trailing Lawton Chiles. It's a long, long way from here to Election Day. Some observations: - Image building. If Nelson elects to put a significant amount of his campaign war chest into television before the primary, he can still prevail. He comes across on TV as youthful, vibrant, the All-American candidate. In contrast, Chiles appears tired (which only a few months ago he said he was), depressed (ditto), a shopworn retread. Who touts that he wants campaign gifts of $100 or less. And won't have a lot of bucks for TV himself.

- New voters. Don't underestimate the voting strength of new Florida voters from Ohio and Vermont and New York and everyplace else in Yankeeland who don't know Chiles from an aging armadillo. Despite his lengthy career in public service. OK, so maybe they don't know Nelson either. Despite his space trip. That's why a primary TV blitz by Nelson is so important.

- Campaign funds. So what happens if Nelson spends heavily to beat Chiles and has too little left for the November election against Martinez? No problem. If Nelson knocks off Chiles, he'll be a giant killer. Money will come out of the woodwork.

- Chiles plan. Persistent story on the state political scene is that Chiles, if elected governor, would resign after a couple of years to make way for Buddy MacKay, his lieutenant governor running mate. If Nelson can substantiate that this is indeed the Chiles game plan, it would provide another strong weapon in his campaign arsenal.

- Back to Congress. Another rumor: Nelson will withdraw from the gubernatorial primary and will run again here in the 11th Congressional District. Forget that one, too. Republican talk.

Upshot: It's much too early to go on a limb and say that Nelson will win. Like we already did months ago. Before Chiles jumped into the race.

But Nelson can still win. Against odds that appear to some to be overwhelming. Certainly it is much too early for Space Coast supporters of their native son to start wringing hands and talking gloom. Or for detractors to start counting him out.

No telling how many drivers were distracted by all of this. And we never did find out Linda Sue's last name.

Anybody with enough guts to confess they put up the signs? If so, give me a call at (407) 255-0605. We'll let the rest of the world know about Linda Sue and ask everybody to send her a belated birthday card.

Brevanilla. Big round of applause today for folks who made the sixth annual Melbourne Art Festival such a smash. Best ever. Well organized, great promotion, fantastic weather, wonderful time had by all . . . Let's hope Discovery gets off today. So the Hubble family can finally go home . . . This just in from Brevard Community College following that faculty union survey critical of the administration: Folks in administration said to be in strategy sessions on how to respond to board of trustees about the faculty charges.